“You’re hungry.”
Ella jerked back with a hand on her stomach. “I’m so sorry. I … no, I’m good.”
Her stomach growled again.
“You’re in need of food. Come, I know the perfect place.” He took her hand and led her away from his yard toward a small food court. “What would you like to eat?” The entire court went quiet as they all turned to look at his woman. His lifemate.
Dhiro saw how the men stared at her. Felt their interest. They’d also be able to scent her arousal. Ella moved a little closer to his side, and it pleased him that she sought him for protection.
“Can we go back to your house?” she asked. “I would really appreciate it.”
He needed everyone to see that taking a human female worked. There was no way he was going to hide her, but he made sure to glare at everyone who dared look in her general direction. He couldn’t allow her to be scared.
On his planet, vulnerable women were not attractive. Actually, showing any emotion on his planet was not welcomed, but he rather liked everything about Ella.
He moved them through the crowds of people. Some tried to reach out, but he released a growl of warning. When one man tried to touch her thigh as they passed, he grabbed his wrist and firmly told him no. They weren’t touching what was his.
They found a small table, designed for two.
He helped Ella into one seat, and he took the one opposite her.
She kept on glancing around, nibbling on her lip, looking nervous. A few times, she tucked her hair back. He noticed her hand shook. The arousal that had been so ripe just moments ago had faded away to nothing, and he hated that.
He desperately wanted to taste her. To feel her open up beneath him, to explore every single one of those delightful curves. She was his human experiment. He’d be certain to learn every way to pleasure his mate.
Ella reached out for the menu. “I have no idea what to order. The food here is probably different than on Earth.” She gave him a small smile. It would take time for her to acclimate.
“Do you trust me to order for you?” he asked.
She nodded, handing him the menu.
Conversations had started up around them, and he noticed Ella kept on looking at him, or down at his chest, or the table. Her hands were clasped together. She sat ramrod straight.
“You’re nervous,” he said. “I wish you would relax and enjoy the evening.”
“People keep staring.”
“You’re a beautiful woman. The women are jealous. The men are envious. Of course, they would stare.”
“I’m not used to this kind of attention,” she said. “I wish they wouldn’t look.”
What Ella didn’t realize was beside her being a foreign alien, the rumors of her ability to have children also made her a popular topic of conversation. She could literally save their world. While Ella wanted to waste time with this courting business, people were going to be upset, waiting to see if it was possible to save their race.
If it proved to be successful, Dhiro had no doubt other males would leave to go and find their own women on Earth.
He reached across the table and took her hand. He’d read that handholding was deemed to be rather popular for her people. He’d watched many documentaries before trekking to Earth. He didn’t see the appeal but wanted to do things right by his alien woman.
At first, Ella gasped, and then she tightened her hold around his hand and gave him a smile. It was a simple action, pointless to him, but it made her happy. Whatever made her happy made him happy.
A waiter approached the table, and much to Dhiro’s shock, he sank to his knees before Ella. “It is a pleasure to have you here, great one,” he said.
Ella jerked back out of his hand. “Why is he doing that? I haven’t done anything.”
Dhiro changed to his native tongue, so Ella wouldn’t know what she was hearing. He scolded the man harshly.
“Do not embarrass my lifemate in a public place. She is scared. Treat her as you would us. She has no idea of the precious gift she holds.” With that, he turned to Ella. “You’re a rare being.”
“Can we leave?” she asked.
“It would be rude to leave now.” He didn’t want her to hide. Her life was going to be with him on his planet. Better to get used to things now.
He seemed to be winning her over and losing her with equal measure, and he didn’t like it. After he ordered them both some high-protein bean burgers and extra dripping on potatoes, the waiter left.
They were still getting a lot of attention, and Ella had untucked her hair and tried to hide herself from view. He loved her long waves of yellow hair. Most females on Trenu Zel had dark features, so he was attracted to her differences.